AI Servo vs One shot

Dont know if true, but I have 'heard' One shot is going to be more accurate with static subjects.

Mabye hogwash, maybe not accounting for using the back button for focusing, or mabe this was on older bodies.

Also, on my 7d AI_Servo does not highlight focus point when focus achieved (This may be configurable, but I have not looked yet).

arkphotos wrote in post #12558056
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Also, on my 7d AI_Servo does not highlight focus point when focus achieved (This may be configurable, but I have not looked yet).

No, it's not configurable and isn't limited to the 7D. In SERVO the camera never "locks" focus, so you don't ever get the focus point highlight or confirmation beep.

I tend to prefer One Shot because I like getting the confirmation flash of the focus point, especially in lower light where I can't judge the focus as well through the viewfinder.

But AI-SERVO + back button AF is a great combination and can be used effectively nearly as often as One Shot.

If you are shooting Macro, water drops, smoke or any other situation where you need to pre-focus your lens, AF in general isn't all that useful and you'd be in manual focus anyway.

I use AI Servo most of the time but I do notice that sometimes, the camera will hunt ever so slightly when I'm focusing on a still subject, almost like it is unsure of itself and wants to back out and in just to be sure. So when I'm taking portraits, I usually switch to one shot.

mckinleypics wrote in post #12558190
I use AI Servo most of the time but I do notice that sometimes, the camera will hunt ever so slightly when I'm focusing on a still subject, almost like it is unsure of itself and wants to back out and in just to be sure. So when I'm taking portraits, I usually switch to one shot.

Right. We all sway ever so slightly, even when we're standing still...Servo will notice this and attempt to continuously focus while you're holding the button down. (thanks for that, by the way...it just reminded me why half my pics from this last weekend weren't great )

And since it's hunting, you're a bit less likely to really nail that focus. I still prefer sticking with AI Servo and just letting off the button when I see it's focused when shooting stationary subjects that may move suddenly (birds, primarily).

I stay with back-button focus but will switch from AI Servo to One Shot when it fits...

Most of my photography is nature/birding, I used to use AI Focus most of the time, but was missing more than I was getting. A while back I switched to using AI Servo instead and haven't taken it off since..

domat wrote in post #12555132
Oooh me want!!! Anyone know the function for that? Also while I am asking questions is there a way when you playback pictures on your camera that portraits are using the whole screen instead of it being rotated and it into the small screen?

50d

sorry for the hijack

On the 50D it C.Fn III, #3 AF point selection method. Set it to 1.

would be nice to have one shot on the front button and servo on the back button lol

The Outlaw wrote in post #12563599
would be nice to have one shot on the front button and servo on the back button lol

Do you mean something like this. Focus with the AF Button and lock the Exposure with the front.

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no i was saying the camera using one shot when you half press the shutter button and servo when you use the back button so you can switch back and forth without changing any settings

Right...but that would defeat the purpose of taking AF off of the shutter button.

when im in one shot mode i use the shutter button anyway. i use the back button when in servo mode. i dont know why i ever started doing it like that but its the way i've always done it since i got the 20d.

Ok...so now we've established that you're strange...

Ultimately, it's why they give us options <shrug> Most of us are perfectly happy to be able to set the camera up in a manner that lets us concentrate on *what* we're shooting, rather than *how* we're doing it Heck of a lot better, IMO, than a simple "one size fits all"

The Outlaw wrote in post #12563779
no i was saying the camera using one shot when you half press the shutter button and servo when you use the back button so you can switch back and forth without changing any settings

Get a 7D!
Back button for one-shot, and DoF to swtich to AI-Servo.

Too bad I still forget about it.

The Outlaw wrote in post #12563779
no i was saying the camera using one shot when you half press the shutter button and servo when you use the back button so you can switch back and forth without changing any settings

Instead of having to worry about using a separate button for One Shot or AI Servo, why not just use AI Focus instead?

tkerr wrote in post #12569651
Instead of having to worry about using a separate button for One Shot or AI Servo, why not just use AI Focus instead?

Because AI Focus is more frequently wrong than closing your eyes and guessing whether the subject is moving or not.